The garden is sited on part of a former nine-hole golf course that
was laid out after the Dundee to Aberdeen railway was built more
than a century ago. When the Esplanade was constructed in 1895, the
course was established, on advice from golfer Tom Morris, with four
holes west of Bridge Street - now the Rock Garden - and five holes
to the east.
The course was completed in 1896 and cost a grand total of £80. The
last visible reminder of the course, the former clubhouse of the
Broughty Ferry Ladies Golf Club, was demolished following a fire in
1993. The garden was started in 1955 by clearing an area of
volcanic rock that had at one time been the old shore line. Over
the years it was extended eastwards over areas that had been sand
dunes, and rock from Carmylie Quarry was used to form a large part
of the garden. There were originally five natural springs and the
lowest pond is the site of one of these, the others having dried up
in 1976. The lower ponds were created in 1982 and the upper ponds
in 1985 and have separate water circulating systems. Plants have
come from many sources. The Friends of Barnhill Rock Garden have
donated seeds and cuttings and the Scottish Rock Garden Club and
Dundee Botanic Garden have also made generous donations to create a
"geographical" theme to reflect the many countries from which the
plants originated.
Throughout the Rock Garden are bench seats commemorating a wide
range of people who enjoyed the peace and tranquillity of this
little horticultural treasure.
The final cache co-ordinates can be found on a variety of
plaques on the seats. They are not in any particular order,
and not all benches are involved, but your search will take you to
almost every nook and cranny – so enjoy the Rocks 'n'
Stroll!
Catherine Ann Duncan was born in 194A
Mr and Mrs Ripley - Francis died in 19B2 and Mary died in
20C1
“Chuck”. D = the difference between the sum of
the digits of his birth year and the sum of the digits of his death
year. (Well, the last one was too easy!!)
Jean, who “loved a gardener and gardens
everywhere” died aged E1
Ian Duncan Watt was born in 192F
Anne, who "lit up every room" was born in 194G
Robert Cathcart came into this world in 19H7
Jennifer Mary Clark died in the J month of 2001
Finally - and not quite so obvious – are the Learmonths.
K = 5th digit from the right or 4th from the left. (Never
mind the Log entries, they do exist - look!)
Now head for the Local Nature Reserve (another wee
treasure)
You've been to the Rocks - now enjoy the Stroll
to:
N 56° AB.CDE’ W 002° FG.HJK’
New cache. Small "lock and lock" container with log and
pencil.
Take and leave local shells or other small beach stuff.
Warning: Popular local area for walking.